A Japanese-English and English-Japanese Dictionary/Preface
Preface.
During the fourteen years which have elapsed since the publication of the last edition of this Dictionary, the Author has kept it constantly before him, correcting errors, improving and enlarging the definitions, and adding new words and illustrations, according as his time and other important engagements allowed him. But owing to the amazing changes and rapid advancement of the Japanese in every department, he has found it difficult to keep pace with the corresponding advance of the language in the increase of its vocabulary. He has endeavored, however, to collect these words, examine, classify and define them. Many, no doubt, have escaped his notice. Still there is an addition of more than ten thousand words to the Japanese and English part. He might have increased this number by almost as many more, had he thought proper to insert the purely technical terms belonging to the various branches of medicine, chemistry, botany, etc., etc., each of which should have a separate work especially devoted to it. He had to draw a line somewhere, and has limited himself to such words only as are in popular and general use. Most of these words are of Chinese derivation.
He has also inserted all the archaic and now obsolete terms found in the Kojiki, Manyōshu, and the Monogataris which have come under his notice, hoping thereby to aid those who may desire to read these ancient books. To distinguish these words he has marked them with a dagger (†).
Though somewhat against his own judgment, but with an earnest desire to further the cause of the Romajikwai, he has altered to some extent the method of transliteration which he had adopted in the previous edition of this work, so as to conform to that which has been adopted by this society. These alterations are few and are fully explained in the Introduction.
The English and Japanese part he has also carefully revised, corrected and considerably enlarged. With all his care and effort the author finds typographical errors have passed here and there undetected, especially among the Chinese characters. They are not many, however, and he comforts himself with the reflection that it is not human to be perfect, nor to produce a work in which a critical eye can detect no flaw.
The Author commits his work to the kind forbearance of the public. Advancing age admonishes him that this must be his last contribution to lexicography. He has done his best under the circumstances. He has laid the foundation upon which others may build a more complete and finished structure; and he is thankful that so much of the work has been given him to do.
The Author cannot take his leave without thanking his many friends who have encouraged him and sympathized with him in his work; especially Rev. O. H. Gulick of Kōbe, and W. N. Whitney, M.D., Interpreter to the U. S. Legation, who have kindly rendered him no little aid. But above all others is he indebted to Mr. Takahashi Goro, whose assistance throughout has been invaluable.
Yokohama, June, 1886.